Philanthropy Meeting Minutes January 8, 2026

Location:  Uwharrie Bank 12:30-1:30

Attendees: Lauren Benjamin, Marilyn Bosian, Marilyn Burke, Sandra Darst, Crystal Egbuna, Terri Fishman, Rosalina Grisati-Peck, Barbara Guth, Barbara Hambacher, Rebecca Hart, Edie Hubler, Janice James, Dorinda Jenkins, Cathy Kane, Ellen Koch, Mara Kornhaber, Kristen LaCrone, Catherine Lewis, Jean Markley, Susie Marlier, Rebecca Mikkelsen, Susan Perkins, Debbie Peterson, Terri Poindexter Smith, Helen Ray, Ceci Robinson, Abbie Volpini, Phyllis Williams, Sandra Wolchok.

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Upcoming Events: 

PINK BOW CAMPAIGN

Date: Wednesday, January 21st 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Aloft Hotel Ballantyne, 13139 Ballantyne Corporate Place. Free to attend.

Join the Pink Bow Campaign’s annual celebration to acknowledge the group’s initiatives and present funds to the organizations that support breast cancer patients in the Charlotte area. You’re invited to honor fighters, survivors, thrivers, and supporters, reflect on real stories of strength, and celebrate a mission rooted in compassion and action. Complimentary food and beverages provided. Thepinkbowcampaign.org

GALENTINE’S LUNCHEON

Date: Wednesday, February 11th 10:30am-2:30pm at Hilton Garden Inn-Charlotte Waverly

Registration opens January 12. Dr. Melissa Ratliff, M.D. of Ratliff Integrative Family Medicine will address innovative approaches to women’s medical issues. Social VP Crystal Egbuna and her co-chair Sharon Cox report that the raffle will include four goodie-filled baskets donated by sponsors, plus a 50/50 raffle. Don’t forget to bring cash to purchase additional raffle tickets. And be sure to see the very special basket that will be auctioned off at the STEM Casino Night!

PHILANTHAROPY BRUNCH AT BECKY’S HOME

Date: Friday, February 27th 10am-Noon 4132 Old Course Drive, Charlotte

Next month: sign up online-and sign up for a side dish, too.

STEM CASINO NIGHT

Date: Sunday evening, March 22nd at Longview Country Club.

Get ready for a delectable dinner, the thrill of casino games and a bevy of auction items.

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Volunteer Coordinator reports:

Bright Blessings—website: www.brightblessingsusa.org

CWC Coordinators: Gayle McKearin (gmckearin@gmail.com) and Beth Daniels (elizabethndaniels@gmail.com).

TOY AND BABY ITEMS DRIVE UNDERWAY (January 1st to the 20th) 

Baby bottles and teethers; birthday items for 3 to 18 year olds.

Shop the Amazon Wish List Here

Or shop local for these new, unopened items: Craft kits, small board games, card games, watches, nerf footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, baby dolls, toy trucks, Barbie dolls, small Lego sets, nail polish, and/or make up kits. You may drop your items off at the following locations: 

Becky Hart

4132 Old Course Drive (Piper Glen)

Gayle McKearin

1021 Odell Farm Lane,

Marvin,NC

Classroom Central  website: classroomcentral.org

CWC Volunteer Coordinator: Barbara Hambacher (barbarahambacher@yahoo.com)

Our guest speaker today was Darden Blow from Classroom Central and we assembled book bags that will be distributed the following day to teachers for use in their classrooms.

Next Event: January 14th. 

We were pleased to have Darden Blow, Director of Partnerships, as our guest speaker. The organization fosters equity in education by providing teachers and students with the free resources they need to succeed. 

Each year, North Carolina’s public school teachers spend more of their own money on school supplies for their students and classrooms than any other state in the nation; approximately $1,500. This is especially onerous because most teachers earn less than $39,000 annually. Sadly, North Carolina ranks 48th in spending on student supplies.

Classroom Central’s goal is for teachers to spend zero dollars on those supplies. Here’s how it works: Classroom Central distributes free school supplies to thousands of teachers annually in more than 300 schools in six school districts: Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell-Statesville, Union, Lancaster and the City of Kannapolis. Teachers are eligible if they teach in in one of those school districts and in a school where 50% or more of the students receive free or reduced lunch.  

Supplies are distributed in four ways:

The Free Store is a retail operation at 2116 Wilkinson Boulevard, open by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Mobile Free Store is a modified semi-truck that serves teachers who work farthest from The Free Store. Curbside Pick-Up lets teachers order supplies online and receive them via contactless pick-up at the Wilkinson Boulevard facility. First-year CMS teachers are automatically enrolled in Classroom Central’s Teacher Launch Box program. Once a quarter, those teachers receive a box filled with free school supplies, seasonal supplements and gifts to equip teachers and students for success.

CWC members are among the more than 3,800 volunteers to support Classroom Central’s staff of 14. We  play a vital role by stocking the shelves in the Free Store. Numerous corporate and foundation partners provide supplies, funds and in-kind donations.

Dress for Success  website: charlotte.dressforsuccess.org

CWC Volunteer Coordinator: Marda Kornhaber (mjkornhaber@yahoo.com)

Next Volunteer Event: TBA They are currently moving to their new location. DFS should be up and running in January. 

Lift Up Carolinas (formerly The Assistance League)  website: liftupcarolinas.org    

CWC Volunteer Coordinator: Terri Fishman ( terrifish103@gmail.com) 

Promising Pages  website: www.promising-pages.org

CWC Volunteer Coordinator: Ceci Robinson. Email: Ceciplus1925@gmail.com

Assistant Dorinda Jenkins  /

Next Volunteer Event: January 15th. 

Safe Alliance  website: www.safealliance.org

CWC Volunteer Coordinator: Kathy Marcello: email: rkkmsb6@yahoo.com . 

STEM for KIDS  website: www.stemforkidscharlotte.org

CWC Volunteer Coordinators: Ruth Hood & Crystal Egbuna & Betty Blackwell: email:cegbuna66@gmail.com.

Next Event: March 22,2025 Casino Night at Longview Country Club—Fun, fun, fun!

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Please join us for our NEXT Philanthropy meeting: Thursday, February 5th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Instead of a guest speaker, we’ll work on the Bright Blessings project.

 UPCOMING PHILANTHROPY CALENDAR 

January 15: Promising Pages 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – registration is full/ waitlist only

January 21: Pink Bow Campaign Annual Celebration

February 5: Next Philanthropy meeting